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Country in the Spotlight: Chile

What is it about this remarkable country, sandwiched between the Andes and 3,000 miles of Pacific coast, that makes it such a powerhouse of New World production? And how are its winemakers safeguarding the future of the Chilean wine industry?

Majestic Buyer Camilla Bordewich investigates.

Chile’s geography is, in a word, extraordinary. Between the arid deserts of the north and the glaciers of Tierra del Fuego in the far south, lush green valleys and hillsides provide perfect conditions for planting vines. This landscape enjoys incredible natural defences (mountains, deserts and the ocean), and carefully controlled agricultural practices mean the Chileans have had great success in preserving their diverse and unique natural eco-systems.

This knowledge of the practical benefits of protecting their land has put Chilean wineries at the forefront of the move towards sustainable winemaking. From reducing the use of chemicals and intensive practices in the vineyard, to cutting energy and water usage in the winery to adapting packaging, many of the country’s top wineries are making positive changes. As all of these excellent eco-friendly wines show, this can be achieved without for a second compromising on quality or value!

Yali

Our Yali wines which include a fresh, vibrant Sauvignon and a robust, fruity Cabernet/Carmenère, come with a great environmental pedigree, from careful vineyard management and rigorous Carbon Dioxide offsetting to partnerships with wetland reserves in both Chile and back here in the UK.

An intense, complex, multi-award winning Syrah from certified organic and biodynamic vineyards with savoury notes of black olive, woodspice, violets and lashings of ripe black fruit. Fabulous now, but will stand up to cellaring for years to come.